Mastering advanced cornhole techniques can significantly improve your game and give you a strategic edge. Here’s a detailed guide on three key cornhole techniques: Blocking, Airmail, and Push Shots—what they are, how to perform them, and when to use them effectively.
1. Blocking
What is it?
Blocking involves intentionally placing your bag in front of the hole to disrupt your opponent’s ability to score. This forces them to adapt their strategy and potentially make mistakes.
How to Perform It:
- Aim: Aim to land your bag approximately 6–12 inches in front of the hole.
- Throw Style: Use a lower, controlled throw to minimize slide and keep the bag in place.
- Bag Selection: Use a bag with a sticky or slower side to ensure it doesn’t slide too far.
When to Use It:
- Early in the game to establish control of the board.
- When your opponent relies heavily on sliding their bags into the hole.
Pro Tip: Practice landing the bag consistently in front of the hole without overshooting. This is one of the most important cornhole techniques you need to learn! Use practice drills to refine your blocking accuracy.
2. Airmail
What is it?
An airmail shot is a high-arcing throw that goes directly into the hole without touching the board.
How to Perform It:
- Position: Stand slightly forward in your stance for better control.
- Focus: Concentrate on the hole, not the board.
- Release: Use a higher, faster throw with a clean follow-through to ensure accuracy.
- Spin: Keep the bag flat during release to maintain control and reduce wobbling.
- PRACTICE: Airmails take a lot of practice to master!
When to Use It:
- To bypass an opponent’s blocker bag.
- When you need to score directly and avoid knocking other bags off the board.
Pro Tip: Practice airmail shots consistently from varying distances. Use drills like placing a single bag on the board and aiming directly for the hole.
3. Push Shot
What is it?
A push shot is used to slide one of your own bags (or an opponent’s bag) into the hole by throwing another bag with controlled force.
How to Perform It:
- Alignment: Aim for the bag you want to push. Position your throw slightly behind the bag for optimal impact.
- Force: Use slightly more power than a standard toss to ensure the bag moves into the hole.
- Spin: Ensure your bag has a smooth spin to reduce deflection and stay on track.
When to Use It:
- When one of your bags is blocking the hole and needs to be pushed in.
- To remove an opponent’s bag from the board while scoring your own.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different speeds and angles to find the right balance for pushing bags consistently. The second most important of the cornhole techniques to learn. You need a great push shot to clean up your block!
Practice Drills for Each Technique
- Blocking Drill: Place a bag 6–12 inches in front of the hole and aim to replicate that position with subsequent throws.
- Airmail Drill: Use a cornhole board and practice throwing bags directly into the hole without touching the board.
- Push Shot Drill: Place a bag near the hole and practice sliding it in with a second throw. Gradually increase the distance for added challenge.
Strategic Combinations
- Block and Airmail: Use a blocker to disrupt your opponent and follow up with an airmail to score.
- Block and Push: Place a blocker to force your opponent into a difficult position, then push your own bag into the hole for added points.
Final Tips
- Experiment with bags that have different speeds and textures (sticky vs. slick sides).
- Watch professional matches to observe how top players use these techniques in real-time.
- Track your progress during practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Scoreholio offers a great way to keep track of all your practice routines
With consistent practice, these advanced techniques will elevate your cornhole game and make you a formidable opponent.
If you need some great bags for practice drills of these cornhole techniques or for gameplay, check out the Addiction and Turtle series we offer!
